Suffolk OKs $1.5M study of 5 waterways in new push to protect aquifer
The Peconic River in Riverhead is one of five sites slated to be part of a new water quality study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey after the Suffolk County Legislature approved funding Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/Joe Werkmeister
The U.S. Geological Survey will start a $1.5 million “water-monitoring initiative” at five Suffolk County waterways to study the effects of stormwater runoff and provide real-time data that could be used to improve water quality.
Suffolk lawmakers at Wednesday's general meeting in Riverhead unanimously approved the money for the Water Reuse and Runoff Remediation Study led by the USGS, which falls under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The USGS will set up monitoring stations at the five sites to gather data on key water-quality indicators that can be used to develop new stormwater management plans and reduce harmful nitrogen pollution that can seep into groundwater. Officials say the study fits into the county’s overall mission to improve water quality and protect the sole-source aquifer residents rely on for drinking water.
The project was included in the county’s 2025 capital budget and additional funding is included in the 2026-28 capital budget.
Legis. Steven J. Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), the deputy presiding officer, said the study complements the new eighth of a percentage point increase in sales tax used to fund sewer projects and installation of innovative advanced wastewater systems on residential properties. He said while those initiatives are important, more needs to be done to address the effects of stormwater runoff into rivers, bays and creeks.
He said the day after a rainstorm is often when problems like beach closures and brown tides are prominent due to runoff, which sends pollutants into the water.
In an interview, Flotteron said the data can “give us direction” in terms of how the county can mitigate the effects of runoff. He said he expects the study to begin soon once the bill is signed by County Executive Edward P. Romaine, a Republican. The ongoing federal shutdown, however, could slow the process if it extends beyond the next few weeks, he added.
Legis. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket), a geologist, called the study a “critically important initiative.”
The monitoring stations will be set up at:
- Carlls River in Babylon
- Sampawams Creek in Babylon
- Connetquot River distributory near Oakdale
- Peconic River in Riverhead
- Nissequogue River in Smithtown
As part of the proposal the USGS submitted, the agency plans to install an interactive kiosk to display “real-time water-quality trends and educational content.” The USGS will fund the cost to install and operate the kiosk.
Flotteron said the kiosk would be installed at the H. Lee Dennison building in Hauppauge.
The USGS will also install signs at the kiosks that include a QR code linking to a database for each station.
“By tracking nutrient loads and emerging contaminants, the monitoring stations will help assess the effectiveness of nitrogen reduction programs and identify early signs of changing water quality conditions,” according to the USGS proposal.
Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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